Gambling harm awareness campaigners have warned that a levy on casino and betting operators ‘doesn’t make gambling safer’.
Yesterday (27 October), the DCMS cemented changes to a statutory levy on the funding of research, education and treatment (RET Levy) of gambling harms that will ensure £100m in annual funding for the treatment and prevention of problem gambling.
Furthermore, the DCMS also confirmed the introduction of stake limits of £5 for those aged 25 or over and £2 for young adults aged 18 to 24.
Reacting to the news on BBC Breakfast, Liz and Charles Ritchie, the Co-founders of gambling harm awareness charity Gambling with Lives, described it as a step forward but also warned that “there’s so much more to do”.
Mr Ritchie said: “The levy is hugely welcome but, in of itself, it doesn’t change the industry and it doesn’t change products.
“Tomorrow, a young person will still be dragged into gambling through misinformation and advertising. Products will still be running at the same speed and industries will not be intervening in a meaningful way when they see that somebody is having major problems. So those are the changes that need to happen to make gambling safer.”
The statutory levy, which will be funded by a percentage of the Gross Gaming Yield (GGY) of all licenced operators, is replacing a voluntary contribution from the industry.
“We realised very soon that the system of a voluntary levy was mad and that’s the situation at the moment” explained Ms Ritchie.
“It allows the gambling industry this huge influence over what information there is and what treatments are delivered. And they can withdraw money as they have done for charities they don’t like the message that’s being given out.
“Now it’s going to be a proper message that includes the danger of products. There are 15 [NHS] clinics but at the moment those are funded through the NHS budget. This will change and that will now be funded through the statutory levy.”
50% of funds will go to NHS England and equivalent bodies in Scotland and Wales to develop support and treatment systems.
A further 30% will be dedicated to gambling harm prevention, including public health campaigns and training for frontline workers to identify and address gambling-related issues. The final 20% will be allocated to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to establish evidence-based insights to shape future policies and regulations.
Changes ‘critical’ for UK safeguarding
The DCMS described the reforms, which were first proposed in the Grambling Review’s White Paper, as “a critical protection” when it comes to safeguarding players.
DCMS Gambling Minister, Baroness Twycross, stated that the changes will be instrumental in “supporting research, raising awareness and reducing the stigma around gambling-related harm.
The DCMS concluded: “Technological developments in recent years have dramatically changed the way people gamble. Gambling has shifted from betting shops and casinos to online platforms, enabling play anywhere, anytime, on mobile devices, and leading to a significant rise in online gambling behaviour.
“The levy and online slot stake limits announced today complement a series of major reforms introduced by the government and the Gambling Commission to make gambling safer in an age of technological advances. These include financial risk checks to detect risky behaviour and stricter marketing controls.”
